# NTSB SEA07CA265: Piper PA 28-140, N4764T, Flagstaff, AZ, September 18, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2007, 16:59 local (23:59 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.127498, -111.68222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1275&lon=-111.6822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA265 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66723/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA265 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a forced landing off the end of the runway. A contributing factor to the accident was the gusting wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - short field takeoff/procedure - attempted, pilot in command - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The 33-hour student pilot was performing a short field takeoff. He selected two notches of flaps and while holding the brakes, applied full power. The airplane accelerated to 65 knots and lifted from the runway. The airspeed then decreased so the pilot pushed the nose over and retracted the flaps. He continued to descend and the airspeed would not increase. The pilot force landed the airplane off the end of the runway and it impacted trees. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. Winds at the time of the accident were from 240 degrees at 10 knots, with 16-knot wind gusts. ## Factual narrative The 33-hour student pilot intended to practice short field takeoffs and landings. This was his first time practicing short field takeoffs and landings as the sole occupant of the airplane. The last time he performed a short field takeoff was with his certified flight instructor about 2 months prior to the accident. His preflight and run up checks were all within limits. He selected two notches of flaps and while holding the brakes, applied full power. The airplane accelerated to 65 knots and the airplane lifted from the runway quickly. As the airplane climbed to 100 feet the pilot noted a decrease in airspeed so he pushed the nose over. He retracted a notch of flaps and descended to 20 feet above the runway. The student pilot then force landed the airplane off the end of the runway and it impacted trees. Post accident examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe. The flaps were fully retracted at the accident site. The winds recorded at the airport approximately 3 minutes prior to the accident were from 240 degrees at 10 knots, with 16-knot wind gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4764T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4764T-2007-12-20), registration cancelled 2007-12-20, S/N 28-7225201, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225201 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aaron Parker - Registered owner: Steven Allen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: FLG, Flagstaff, AZ - Airport: FLG, Flagstaff Puliam, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KFLG ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070918021669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070918021669A), Sep 18, 2007: Piper PA28140, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] is a student pilot and stated that he was practicing a short field takeoff on runway 21 at Flagstaff airport. The first… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.